The Pageantry of the 2019 Manchester Road Race [PHOTOS]

MANCHESTER, CT — More than 11,000 registered participants tackled a hilly 4.748 mile course through the streets of Manchester Thursday at the 82nd running of the Manchester Road Race.
A few of the runners were of elite, world-class, even Olympic status; you may find that story here.

The majority of the field consisted of ordinary citizens - some just jogging, or walking - and a great number were there simply for the pageantry and spectacle that has become synonymous with the Thanksgiving morning tradition.

At the top of the grueling hill on Highland Street, just before the left turn and steep downhill course of Porter Street, a rock band cranking out a fabulous tribute to Led Zeppelin greeted characters of all sorts, shapes and sizes. From the Mayflower to Wonder Woman to golden men (honest), a cacophony of costumes passed by at varying speeds, none of whom seemed to care who was leading the pack or if the new course record set last year would fall (it didn't).

This photo gallery does not encompass every bit of bizarre attire, but it gives a pretty good idea of the variety you'll see when you experience the spectacle of the Manchester Road Race.

This story includes race course coverage by Patch editors Tim Jensen and Chris Dehnel.